Rolls Royce picked Auto China 2012 in Beijing to unveil the Extended Wheelbase version of the new Phantom Series II. China, as you know, is the biggest market for long wheelbase cars. And it’s also a great market for Rolls Royce cars, which is why they have opened three new showrooms in that country this year, with five more to come.
Apart from the length, the EWB Phantom features the same new things the rest of Series II family – revealed in Geneva last month, including Phantom Saloon, Phantom Coupé and Phantom Drophead Coupé – are blessed with.
Changes include a revised front-end design with a restyled bumper and rectangular light apertures, as well as LED headlights, and that’s about it for the exterior. The WEB also gets a new driver assistance system, and a modern user interface with re-designed multi-media controller. The interior is as simple and elegant as it used to be, and the multimedia screen still hides behind the retro clock.
As for the technicalities, a new 8-speed automatic gearbox and rear differential are coupled to the same V12 engine, making the car a bit more efficient.
Although the factory-stadnard Phantom is pretty unique in its own right, but the bespoke department makes sure no two Phantoms are alike. More than eight in ten Rolls-Royce Phantom models delivered globally to clients in 2011 included some element of bespoke design from individual paint colours, veneer inlays, tread plates and coach lines, to the most flamboyant and individual of whole vehicle designs.
